Postgraduate Course

MSc Politics, Communications and Data Analytics

How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Politics, Communications and Data Analytics

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Government

Are you fascinated by the role of data in a politic context? Curious about the wider field of communication, media and journalism and how it is linked to policy and policy makers? Do you want to explore emerging trends in politics, political communication, global journalism media, and current affairs?

There has never been higher demand for trained specialists with an in-depth understanding of how to work with data and evidence. On our MSc Politics, Communications and Data Analytics you'll gain rigorous training to better understand how to use data, effectively communicate the implications of data, patterns, associations, and trends, whilst being equipped with a grounded understanding of contemporary cutting-edge debates in media and politics.

You will gain a broad understanding of the main theoretical frameworks of media and journalism in order to develop your critical appraisal of the interconnected communication world of today.

Through our course, you will learn the appropriate research methods to grasp cutting-edge international debates in media and politics, gain research skills and investigate the complex world of media, politics and data in various contexts including the Global South. You'll cover topics including:

Public Policy
Media, Politics and Society
Social Data Science

Through our optional modules, you will be provided with the flexibility to pursue topics around your interests, including:

Environmental politics
Conflict
Terrorism
United State
The Global South
Inequality in Latin America
Journalism models
Disinformation and post truth

You will be taught by colleagues from both our Department of Government and our Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies (which covers journalism). You also have the option to choose selected modules delivered by our Department of Sociology and Criminology.

Why we're great.

Understand the world around you using evidence and data – both of which are skills in increasingly high demand by employers
Consolidate an in-depth understanding of political studies and journalism, and apply your knowledge to contemporary real-world contexts
Gain unrivalled access to the best minds in politics and international journalism – our staff have a broad range of hands-on industry experience

Our expert staff

Our Department of Government is one of the most prestigious in Europe, with an outstanding record of teaching, research and publication. We are 6th in UK for research power in politics and international studies (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021). You'll benefit from an interdisciplinary approach to teaching with a global approach.

Our Department of Government staff advise the CIA on counter-terrorism, train politicians and civil servants in democratising countries, and comment on political events in national and international media. They work on topics ranging from international conflict and violence to British elections, and from the obligations of the younger generation to why authoritarian leaders welcome natural disasters.

Our Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies is home to five exciting subject areas; literature, film, creative writing, journalism, and drama. Our film specialists, award-winning dramatists, published writers, and editors offer a unique blend of insights and real-life, industry experience, and are committed to cultivating your intellectual curiosity.

Journalism at Essex equips you for the fast-changing world where truth and accuracy have never been more vital. The degree is taught by leading scholars and journalists with national and international reputation. It offers extensive teaching and training on producing high-quality video, audio, and text stories across different platforms, incorporating current industry best practice, including specialisms such as data journalism, investigations, and podcasting.

You will be taught by staff from across both departments, as well as other colleagues from our Department of Sociology and Criminology, depending on the optional modules you choose.

Academic staff you may be taught by and work with include:

Professor Natasha Lindstaedt - Natasha's teaching and research interests include international relations and comparative politics, with a specific interest in development, Middle East politics, African politics and Latin American politics.
Professor Fatima El Issawi - Fatima is a British Lebanese scholar and journalist. Her expertise in the media industry with a specific focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) mixes journalism, public communication, policy, and academia.
Dr Aki Matsuo - Aki is a Lecturer in the Department of Government and teaches quantitative methods, data for social data science, and advanced quantitative political analysis.
Dr Jimena Vazquez Garcia - Jimena is a Lecturer in the Department of Government and her research focuses on theories of political subjectivation and critique in Michel Foucault’s thought. Her current interests revolve around ideas of care, the politics of health, and counter-hegemonic practices.
Dr Sergio Ascencio - Sergio is a Lecturer in the Department of Government and teaches political economy and quantitative methods and data analysis.
Dr Nicole Baerg - Nicole is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government and teaches international political economy and the politics of public policy.

Specialist facilities

Take advantage of our extensive learning resources to assist you in your studies:

Laboratories of networked computers featuring extensive software for political analysis
ESSEXLab provides opportunities for experimental lab research
Student societies for politics, debating, and Model UN
We organise the Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis

Your future

Our MSc Politics, Communications and Data Analytics course is ideal for employment in a wide range of public and private industries, including government agencies, international organisations, consultancies, international journalism, and NGOs.

After completing your Masters, you may wish to extend your knowledge with a research degree – many Essex graduates decide to stay here for further study.

We also work with the University's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree in any subject.

You may also be considered with a lower class degree, where you have at least five year’s relevant work experience (please provide your CV).

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE WITH OPTIONS

(60 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Media, Politics and Society

(20 CREDITS)

This module is intended to provide you with a broad understanding the main theoretical frameworks of media and journalism to develop their critical appraisal of the interconnected communication world of today. This module is intended to provide you with a broad understanding the main theoretical frameworks of media and journalism to develop their critical appraisal of the interconnected communication world of today. It is aimed primarily at students looking to develop a research career in journalism or media studies as well as those students looking to acquire a critical approach to journalistic practice. It will also be interesting to students of Government and Sociology who are interested in understanding the big debates around the media and the relationships with politics and society. Each week a current event will be discussed in the seminar as well. The module will equip students with the knowledge, theoretical frameworks, and critical tools to unpack the complexities of contemporary networked newsrooms. It will provide the conceptual framework required to analyze and comprehend our interconnected communication sphere. The module will be open to students from LIFTS who want to critically reflect on the professional practice and to students from Government and Sociology who would be eager to acquire analytical tools that would support their interdisciplinary research.

View Media, Politics and Society on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Introduction to Programming in Python

(15 CREDITS)

The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to computer programming for students with little or no previous experience. The Python language is used in the Linux environment, and students are given a comprehensive introduction to both during the module. The emphasis is on developing the practical skills necessary to write effective programs, with examples taken principally from the realm of data processing and analysis. You will learn how to manipulate and analyse data, graph them and fit models to them. Teaching takes place in workshop-style sessions in a software laboratory, so you can try things out as soon as you learn about them.

View Introduction to Programming in Python on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE WITH OPTIONS

(15 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Research Design

(15 CREDITS)

In this module you gain an overview of the logic of social science research designs that includes the goals, theories and strategies of social science research, and develop a research agenda for potential use as publication in a peer reviewed journal, MA or PhD dissertation.

View Research Design on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

Introduction to Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis I

(15 CREDITS)

This module offers you an introduction to the theory and practice of quantitative data analysis techniques. You will also be introduced to the computer package R, which is widely used by academics and practitioners for the analysis of quantitative data. As the work becomes more challenging, the relevance of the techniques to modern social science research becomes more apparent.

View Introduction to Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis I on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY

Introduction to Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis II

(15 CREDITS)

View Introduction to Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis II on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 08: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 09: CORE

Dissertation Preparation

(0 CREDITS)

View Dissertation Preparation on our Module Directory

Teaching

The course includes both compulsory and optional modules, so you can tailor it fit your interests and aspirations
Learn through discussion and problem-solving
Lab sessions allow you to improve your technical research skills
We encourage students to attend national conferences to meet researchers and discuss their work

Generally, our students have a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar for each module every week or a two-hour seminar (in the case of smaller modules), but there are variations in place depending on the module.

Assessment

Your coursework comes in the form of essays, simulations, presentations and in-class tests

Dissertation

You are given guidance on how to prepare a dissertation by the Graduate Director in the spring term
We link you with an appropriate supervisor at the earliest opportunity

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£10,500

International fee

£22,750

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2025 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday 20 September 2025 - September Open Day

Saturday 8 November 2025 - November Open Day

Find out more

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

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